Golden and Blueline Tilefish

Overview

The Council manages golden and blueline tilefish from Virginia through Maine under the Tilefish Fishery Management Plan (FMP).  The FMP was initially developed by the Council in 2001 for golden tilefish, which has operated under an individual fishing quota program since the implementation of Amendment 1 in 2009. Blueline tilefish was added to the Tilefish Fishery Management Plan by Amendment 6 in 2017. The management unit for this FMP includes all U.S. federal waters north of the NC/VA border. Golden and blueline tilefish south of the NC/VA border are managed by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (SAFMC).

Staff Contacts

Related Pages

Species

Golden tilefish  Lopholatilus chamaelonticeps

Golden tilefish
Lopholatilus chamaeleonticeps

Blueline tilefish Caulolatilus microps

Blueline tilefish
Caulolatilus microps

Regulations

Additional information about the management and status of these fisheries, including commercial and recreational fishing regulations, is available on the NOAA Fisheries FishWatch profiles linked below.

Federal regulations are also described in the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (e-CFR) section linked below.

Private Recreational Tilefish Permitting and Reporting

Photo Credit: Ken Neill

All private recreational vessels targeting or retaining golden or blueline tilefish from Virginia to Maine are subject to certain permitting and reporting requirements.

  • Permitting: Any recreational vessel that intends to fish for blueline or golden tilefish north of the North Carolina/Virginia border must have a Federal private recreational tilefish vessel permit before taking a trip. Apply for a permit on the GARFO Fish Online website.

  • Reporting: Recreational vessel operators must report all trips that either targeted or retained tilefish within 24 hours of returning to port using an approved electronic vessel trip reporting (eVTR) system. Learn more about eVTR options here.

Learn more about private recreational tilefish permitting and reporting →

Actions Under Development

Actions Under Development
Flatfish in Seagrass.JPG
Omnibus Essential Fish Habitat Amendment

This action will concurrently conduct the 5-year EFH review required under the Magnuson Stevens Act while amending fishery management plans for the Council, as needed.

Golden Tilefish Catch Share Program Review

The golden tilefish fishery is managed using Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ), which is a specific type of Limited Access Privilege Program (LAPP). LAPPs are required to be reviewed regularly by the Council and the Secretary of Commerce.

Fishery Performance Reports and Information Documents

Fishery Performance Reports (FPR) are developed every year by each fishery's advisory panel to provide the Council and SSC with a description of the factors that influenced fishing effort and catch within each of the Council’s fisheries. Prior to the development of the FPR, Council staff summarize the most recent catch, landings, and effort data in a Fishery Information Document.  These documents for the golden tilefish fishery are listed below.

Fishery Management Plan and Amendments

Recent Research and Reviews

2020 and 2023 Golden Tilefish Fishery Independent Surveys: In 2020 and 2023, the Council funded year-long golden tilefish fishery independent surveys in waters off New York to the Virginia/North Carolina line.

Fisheries-Independent Pilot Survey: A fisheries-independent pilot survey was conducted by SUNY Stony Brook for golden and blueline tilefish from Georges Bank to Cape Hatteras. The final report from this study is available at the link below.